Photo by Dave Adams

Besides fireworks, July 4th is all about cookouts and parties. Here are a handful of events to help you celebrate this Independence Day.

BBQ & MUSIC: Hill Country is celebrating July 4 with music and food at its ongoing Backyard Barbecue on the lawn of the National Building Museum (5th Street NW, between F and G Streets). The tunes began at noon today with Mic Harrison and Kevin Abernathy, followed by South Rail at 3:00 p.m., and Justin Jones at 6 p.m. No cover.

COOKOUT: The Fairgrounds (1299 Half Street SE) next to Nationals Park hosts an all-day cookout tomorrow. There will be live bands from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., along with $1 hot dogs, peanuts, and Cracker Jacks from 2 to 11 p.m. Beer likely more. Free admission all day. The Nationals play the Brewers that morning (11:05 a.m.).

NEIL DIAMOND ON THE BASEBALL DIAMOND: Speaking of the Washington Nationals, yeah, they start tomorrow at 11:05 a.m. against the Milwaukee Brewers. A baseball game that starts that early is a surreal experience—be prepared for fist-pumping Clarendon bros decked out in flag-patterned shirts and jorts and, perhaps, sitting through the first three innings with an epic hangover from the night before—but it’s America’s game on America’s day in America’s capital, right? Also, the Nationals’ daily tribute to military service members will be a bit special tomorrow as Neil Diamond makes the debut public performance of his new song “Freedom Song (They’ll Never Take Us Down),” which he wrote following the Boston Marathon bombings. At Nationals Park (1500 South Capitol Street SE). Tickets $35 and up. (Benjamin R. Freed)

ROOFTOP PARTY: Jack Rose (2007 18th Street NW) and Flying Dog Brewery are celebrating “American Drinkdependence Day” with a rooftop viewing party. Flying Dog UnderDog Atlantic Lager and SnakeDog IPA will be $3 from 3 to 7 p.m. and $5 from 7 p.m. to close. There will also be other food and drink specials and free Flying Dog AmeriCAN beer coozies.

>> H Street Country Club (1335 H Street NE) has a great rooftop for viewing the fireworks. They’ll also be serving up “libertea” cocktails, mini golf, and tacos. Food and drink specials start at 4 p.m.

POOL PARTY: Break out the bikinis and inflatibles for The BYT Fourth Annual Fourth of July Pool Party Spectacular Craptacular! at the Capitol Skyline Hotel (10 I Street SW). There will be pool games, a Dangerously Delicious Pie eating contest, food, drinks, DJs, and more. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. $15 (money back if the event gets rained out).